Well, Week One is in the books. And I don’t want to say that I told you so — but I told you so.
We didn’t learn much in Penn State’s 66-10 pasting of Coastal Carolina on Saturday, except for the fact that my first prediction of the season was pretty darn close. In this same space last week, I predicted a 61-7 Penn State rout. And had it not been for a late Chanticleers’ field goal, I would have been five points from the correct score.
Not too bad, eh?
In any event, the opponent gets a little tougher this week as Oregon State comes to town. In today’s edition of Morelli OnLion, we’ll look back at the rout, ahead to the Beavers and have a new feature — 10 questions.
Let’s start with the awful Chanticleers.
Daryll Clark passed his first test with flying colors.
(Blue White Illustrated)
Looking Back: Coastal Carolina
After Penn State coach Joe Paterno named Daryll Clark his starter over Pat Devlin earlier in the week, there were many armchair quarterbacks wondering aloud if the coach had made the right decision.
If Saturday’s 56-point rout of the overmatched Coastal Carolina Chanticleers is any indication, his decision was 100 percent on the money — just like most of Clark’s passes.
Clark completed 11-of-14 for 146 yards and one touchdown. He appeared confident in the huddle and running Penn State’s offense. His counterpart fared well, too. Devlin completed 5-of-8 for 83 yards.
Neither quarterback turned the ball over and neither was intercepted.
Devlin was solid, for sure, as well third-stringer Paul Cianciolo. But make no mistake about it, this was Clark’s day. After waiting in the wings for a couple of seasons, Clark finally took over for the departed Anthony Morelli.
And you bet it felt good for the junior from Youngstown, Ohio.
“I’ll never forget the feeling this morning, I was excited, anxious, nervous, everything,” Clark recalled. “But the time is now and I’m just going to have to keep working hard and just hope everything goes well this season because I feel like we have a real special thing going.”
Clark’s first pass as a starter was a 15-yard completion to senior Deon Butler. His second pass of the day also went to Butler, who picked up 14 more yards. Those first two passes got Clark in a groove, he said.
“Yeah, I felt like that was a good way to start. That gave me some confidence because I was nervous, I ain’t gonna lie,” he said.
Clark’s first drive as the starter ended with a 7-yard touchdown run by running back Evan Royster.
The Daryll Clark Era had officially begun.
Paterno was pleased with the way both quarterbacks performed. But at the conclusion of the 56-point rout, the iconic coach was hardly in the mood to throw bouquets to either QB.
“Both quarterbacks played well. I went into the game just playing it by ear,” Paterno said. “I told (quarterbacks coach) Jay Paterno, I said ‘Jay, I’ll let you know when I want to play the other kid.’ I think Daryll Clark has earned the job. I’m not going to back away from that.”
Clark’s performance doesn’t really give Paterno the opportunity. Even the younger Paterno was impressed with the effort.
“I thought he came out really well, really sharp,” Paterno said of Clark. “(He) threw it really well, really with some authority. Ya know, (he) took the ball and just drove a couple of passes in there that he needed to.”
Perhaps one of Clark’s best tosses went unnoticed. Close to the goal line, Clark checked off his primary receiver and found senior Jordan Norwood in the corner of the end zone for a 5-yard touchdown. Clark displayed some real touch on the pass.
According to Clark, the coaches knew what he could do with his feet. Saturday was all about what he could do with his arm.
“I think they wanted to see throws. Period. And the reads that I made.
They wanted to make sure I was on time today. For the most part, I think it happened,” Clark said.
Although it was clearly Clark’s day, Devlin did a good job coming off the bench.
“Devlin is very close,” the elder Paterno said. “Devlin is a good player.”
Devlin’s first pass of the afternoon went for 40 yards to senior Jordan Norwood. That first pass, Devlin said, was designed to go deep.
“Jordan was wide open and there’s nothing better than (seeing) Jordan wide open, so it was good,” Devlin said.
Like Clark, Devlin got passing marks from his quarterbacks coach.
“I thought Pat played really, really well,” Paterno said matter-of-factly.
Senior wideout Derrick Williams, who scored a touchdown on an 89-yard kickoff return, gave both QBs passing marks. Williams caught two balls for 45 yards.
“They both did a great job,” Williams said. “I was very impressed with the way Daryll came in and started the game ready to lead the team to victory, which he did. Pat did a good job, too. Both of the guys were very relaxed and both of the guys wanted to help out as much as they could.”
For both QBs, Week 1 is in the books. But there are many chapters to be written.
Looking Ahead: Oregon State
It will get a little more difficult for the Nittany Lions this week when Oregon State visits. The Beavers are coming off a 36-28 loss to Stanford last Thursday night.
There are a couple of reasons to worry about this game.
1. The Beavers have better athletes than Coastal Carolina.
2. They’ve had a couple of extra days to rest since they played on a Thursday.
But history is on Penn State’s side. Oregon State has not played well in September road game. Since 2002, the Beavers have dropped nine consecutive September road games. In those contests, they’ve been outscored, 323-159.
Watch for James Rodgers, a wideout who can do some damage. Last season, Rodgers gained 916 all-purpose yards including 586 yards running the football.
This is a critical game for the Beavers, who face Hawaii and USC in the coming weeks.
Still, we like the Lions in a closer game than many expect.
Gantdaily.com prediction: Penn State 30, Oregon State 21.
Gerald Cadogan says he would have thrown the shot if not for football.
(Blue White Illustrated)
10 Questions: Gerald Cadogan
A new feature for Morelli OnLion, 10 questions asks your favorite Penn State players questions they don’t usually get from the press corps.
Today, gantnews.com visits with offensive lineman Gerald Cadogan.
GD: Three things always in your refrigerator?
GC: Gatorade, applesauce and frozen pizzas.
GD: Who would play you in a movie?
GC: I would say either my younger brother, Nate Cadogan, or Denzel Washington or Will Smith.
GD: XBox or PlayStation?
GC: PlayStation.
GD: The Last Book You Read?
GC: Facing Your Giants, by Max Lucado. I had to read it for one of my classes.
GD: Favorite All-Time Movie?
GC: 300
GD: If I didn’t go to Penn State, I would have gone to?
GC: Northwestern.
GD: If not football, what sport?
GC: Track and field, shot put.
GD: Your ride?
GC: I drive a Ford Explorer, 2000. Earl, I named him Earl. Very reliable.
GD: Funniest or best thing Joe ever said to you?
GC: When he told me I was going to be a starter. That’s the best thing anyone could ever say to me.
GD: Favorite Penn State Moment?
GC: Winning the Alamo Bowl this past season was a highlight.
In addition to writing for gantnews.com Chris Morelli is the editor of Blue White Illustrated, a sports publication devoted to Penn State athletics. He is also a regular on “Front and Center,” which airs on ESPN Radio in Altoona and State College. E-mail him at morellionlion@gmail.com.